Life in Kanazawa: Musings from the Far East

Zentsuji

Shikoku is famous for its 88 temple pilgrimage, so of course we had to visit at least one. This is temple #75, the most famous of the temples because this is the birthplace and boyhood home of Kobo Daishi, the enlightened monk who first walked the 88 temples and then gained enlightenment (ie. the reason for the pilgrimage). It is believed that if you follow his route, you will also achieve enlightenment. Many of the pilgrims now come by car (or large tour buses), but we did occassionally see pilgrims still walking to the temples.
This temple was especially amazing because there is a passageway in the basement of the temple. You enter into the basement and are quickly submerged in complete darkness. Absolute, complete darkness where it is lighter with your eyes closed than open. You place your left hand on the wall, which is inscribed with various murals, and while reciting a chant you follow the tunnel as it twists and turns, having only the wall and murals to lead you. It was an amazing experience, as you really had to simply trust, absolutely and completely, what was ahead, as there is no way for you to know. A really amazing feeling.

We made it!!!! This is the sign that announces you have reached temple #75.

Pagoda with a camphor tree in front. The pagoda was built to mark the 1,050 year anniversary of Kobo Daishi's pilgrimage.

Kobo Daishi

This camphor tree is 1,500 years old, and was here when Kobo Daishi was a little boy. He wrote in his memoirs about playing under this tree as a little boy. Remember of course that he finished his trek in the very early 9th century (808 AD).

Two pilgrims arrive at temple #75.

The bridge to enlightenment

Also of interest, at the train station to Zentsuji, on an island that has almost no tourists, in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, we ran into our friend!

Labels: Shikoku, Travel, Zentsuji

Dogo Koen

We spent a lot of time walking around Dogo Koen, a park near our hotel. The park was full of so many cherry blossoms, and many people enjoying their "hanami." Zach and I sat beside the river under a giant sakura tree and had our own little hanami. We had never appreciated why people loved cherry blossoms so much, but after our week in Shikoku we understand a little better. Around the cherry blossoms everybody was just so HAPPY!

People enjoying their "hanami" party!

Stopping to smell the roses, um, cherry blossoms.

Zach enjoys the sunshine.

Labels: Sakura, Shikoku, Travel

Korea

This past week, we took a brief trip to Korea. We only had a few days, so we spent most of our time in Seoul. The next few posts will have pictures from all the places we visited.